Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

High-income Child Benefit Charge

Tuesday 19 March 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government will raise the point at which child benefit is fully withdrawn to 80,000 from 60,000 and the high-income child benefit charge threshold to 60,000 from 50,000 from 6 April 2024.
  • The Government will launch a consultation in due course on how to administer the high-income child benefit charge on a household rather than an individual basis.
  • The Minister stated that views and concerns from constituents will be warmly welcomed during the consultation process.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Karl McCartney Con
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question arises from the proposed changes to the high-income child benefit charge threshold.

Question

What assessment has been made of the impact of raising the high-income child benefit charge threshold on household incomes?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

The Government will raise the point at which child benefit is fully withdrawn to £80,000 from £60,000 and raise the high-income child benefit charge threshold to £60,000 from £50,000 from 6 April 2024. This change means that almost half a million hard-working families will gain an average of £1,260 towards the cost of raising their children.

Answered
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Q2 Karl McCartney Con
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question follows from previous changes announced by the government regarding high-income child benefit charge thresholds.

Question

Will my hon. Friend confirm when the formal consultation on basing child benefit on household income rather than individual income will commence?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

The Government will launch a consultation in due course on how to end this unfairness by administering the high-income child benefit charge (HICBC) on a household rather than an individual basis. The reform would require significant changes to the tax system, but the goal is to administer HICBC on a household basis by April 2026.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Timeline for consultation and exact nature of reforms required

How: In Due Course

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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The concern is about how proposed changes to child benefit will affect families' financial stability.

Question

Is it the Minister's intention to ensure that those who have questions, difficulties or concerns have their concerns and wishes taken on board?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

I am sure that his views and those of his constituents will be warmly welcomed in the consultation. The complexities involved necessitate thorough consideration through this process.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures to address public concerns during consultations

How: Warmly Welcomed

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